Popular Culture and Hunting

February 20, 2008 by: Grant

The Problem

Ask ten different people what they think of when they hear the word “hunter” and you’ll likely get ten varied responses. The answers will range from “gun sling’in hillbillies” to “true sportsmen” to “Bambi killers”.

Everyone has some sort of perception of what a hunter is. Some perceptions are based on loose stereotypes and others are based on solid experience. My concern is that there are far too many people basing their appraisals of hunters and hunting on vague generalizations of popular culture. No, I don’t think that everyone out there in the general public is an anti-hunting activist that is trying to bring down the sport of hunting. Quite the opposite actually. I believe the real problem is a lack of knowledge relating to a vast majority of the population that has never learned about or been associated with hunting. These false perceptions, however innocent they may be, can largely affect the future of conservation, wildlife management, and hunting through legislation that stands on ignorance.

The Truth

Experience has shaped my view of a hunter as someone who is generally a good person. Sure, I’ve had my share of run-ins with the ornery or territorial hunter, and even a couple of overzealous conservation officers. Who hasn’t? These experiences, however, are by far the exception.

Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to connect with tons of hunters who have shared tips, ideas, hunting hot spots, and even lunch. I’ve met complete strangers, hunted with them for a day, and called them friend at the end of it. And you better believe that when someone in my hunting crew tags out, I’m almost just as excited as if I had harvested the deer myself. It’s part of our hunting culture and heritage. Generally, hunters want to see each other succeed. There’s nothing like taking part in a heart-thumping whitetail harvest, whether you are the harvester, the cameraman, or the “field dressing assistant.” We root each other on and it’s in our blood. Again, I’m not saying that every hunter out there is a saint…we’ve each got our own problems. But the generosity and sportsmanship, in my experience, completely eclipses the negative.

Hunter’s contribution to each other and society doesn’t stop with their hearts though. It is largely followed up by substantial action with their time and money. In 2006 hunters contributed more than 280 million dollars to conservation groups such as Ducks Unlimited, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Pheasants Forever. Annually over 1.2 billion dollars are collected through state hunting and fishing licenses which helps state wildlife agencies acquire, maintain, and improve fish and wildlife habitat through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and other programs (National Geographic Nov. 2007). You see the success of conservation and wildlife management is largely carried out on the backs of these “gun sling’in hillbillies.”

The Fix

I can’t give an answer that completely encompasses and solves the ignorance issues of popular culture when it comes to the perception of today’s hunter. If I could I’d probably be working as a lobbyist for the NRA. We hunters, however, can take action in a couple of areas that if done collectively as a hunting community, will preserve our sport for generations to come. We must be armed with knowledge and readily speak it to those who have misperceptions. Be ready to share personal experiences of hunter benevolence, whether it is from the heart or the wallet. Know that wildlife conservation and management largely exist due to the sport itself. And finally, take someone hunting. There’s no greater advocate for our sport than the individual who just found out what it’s all about.